Best Equipment for Online Teaching (16 Supplies!)

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After six years of online teaching, I’ve realized there are a few things that every online teacher needs. These are the teacher tools I cannot live without, and I recommend them to every online English teacher!

Many lessons later, I’ve built an arsenal of items that have become my everyday essentials. If you are working from home as an online English teacher, here are the things you will need to get started:

1. Laptop

Perhaps the most obvious item on the list for online English teachers is a laptop.

When I started teaching full-time, I still used my three-year-old college Toshiba. It had seen better days.

I always thought I could stick with it, but it slowed down a lot, and it could take up to 15 minutes to start. It was causing me unnecessary stress, and I ended up missing classes as a result.

I knew that I had to invest in a decent laptop if I wanted to start working from home. After hours of meticulous research, I found the perfect laptop.

This laptop looks very similar to a MacBook without the hefty price tag. It’s also super-fast and efficient, the perfect size to fit in a small bag. wi

It made me a lot more time-efficient because the laptop is fast, and you can get much more work done. It was a game-changer when teaching online.

I’ve also edited videos and photos on it without a problem. I couldn’t be happier with my choice; it has so much storage!

Not what you’re looking for? Check out some more laptop options for teachers here.

2. Wired Headset

I decided I was sick of headphones after buying one of the highest-rated ones on Amazon. They didn’t cover my ears properly, they felt heavy, and they were uncomfortable.

The padding was way too thick, and my delicate ears felt punctured. So I decided to invest in the Battlebuds headset.

These earphones are equipped with a mic and designed to clip into the ear, so they don’t slip out like regular ones. I NEVER wanted to go back to headphones again.

They are like earphones, and they come in different ear tip sizes, so you can find the perfect fit. The mic can be easily attached and removed.

If they are good enough for a hard-core gamer, they are good enough for me. But are they good enough for companies?

I HIGHLY recommend these if you find your current headset uncomfortable. They are a good choice for people who wear glasses, too, as they don’t press against them like regular headphones.

If you are unsure whether your company will allow for earphones like these, and want to play it safe, consider getting a headset like these:

• Microsoft LifeChat Headset
• Logitech USB Headset H340
• Logitech High-performance USB Headset H540

3. Ethernet Cable

An ethernet cable will help stabilize the internet connection and ensure a smoother classroom experience. Some companies will require teachers to use an ethernet cable instead of depending on WiFi.

Hard-wiring your device to an Ethernet cable can improve speed and be more secure.

Check out more technical requirements for online teaching companies.

4. Desk

An online English teacher has every prop known to man. The question is: how do you organize it all?! Well, let me tell you; the desk is your foundation.

I bought a desk that has since been made unavailable on Amazon. It is, however, similar to the one in the image below.

The L-shape table holds all my props on one side, and I can fetch them during class when the need arises. It also looks aesthetically pleasing and has lots of storage space, so mission accomplished!

Feel free to find a desk you like or buy separate storage containers.

You may also be interested in: The Best English Teaching Companies in 2022.

5. Office Chair

When I say “office chair,” I mean any chair that gives efficient support to your spine and will keep you feeling comfortable.

The chair you sit on impacts your posture and health. If you buy a cheap chair, you might be at risk of back problems in the long run. It could even be enough to stop you from sitting down and doing some work!

I bought a chair based on how it looked, which in hindsight, was a wrong decision.

You can find some good gaming chairs that look very comfortable and offer great support, like this one:

If you already have a chair and don’t want to invest much money just yet, I totally understand! There are additional supports you can add to a chair to make it slightly better:

I would love to get a good chair because the current chair I have makes me ache. Be careful when choosing the chair you plan to sit in each day!

6. Laptop Stand

These are one of the treasures you may never even think about until it’s too late! I realized that sitting in front of a screen all day was wreaking havoc on my posture. My lower back hurt, and I leaned toward my laptop without noticing.

When you are at home, and nobody can see you, you don’t pay attention to the small things, such as how you are sitting. Whatever bad posture habit you may have can take a toll on your body in the long run.

I found that investing in a laptop stand propped my laptop perfectly to my eye level. It helped me improve my posture, too, because it gave me a reason to sit up straight. I was no longer looking downwards at a screen but looking in an upright position.

This also helped me look better on-screen too. You can adjust the angle of the stand so that you are always level with the webcam. By positioning it this way, the student can feel like they are looking straight at you.

7. Background Poster or Tapestry

If you are teaching students, you will likely be expected to have a plain or decorated background. Many teachers make some simple changes to add some personality and fun to their background.

The appearance of your background is actually important in online ESL schools, especially among children. A tapestry or poster is a good starting point for your ESL classroom.

You can find more of our best background ideas here.

8. Adequate Lighting

I usually teach when it is bright outside (8 am onwards), so lighting is not too much of a concern. However, if you plan to get up at 5 am or teach in the dark evenings, you may need some extra lighting.

Having good lighting will definitely help give your classroom a much more pleasant and inviting feel. Definitely worth the investment!

Ring lights are used by many people who need professional lighting, so you can be sure to look like a superstar teacher (or YouTuber)! See some more lighting options.

9. Anti-Blue Light Glasses

If you haven’t heard, blue light from phones and laptops can actually cause vision problems over time. It can cause retinal damage and interferes with your sleep cycle.

To help prevent this, I decided to buy anti-blue light glasses. They have filters in their lenses that block or absorb blue light I don’t actually wear these during class time, but they are great for anyone who uses technology.

The main benefits I’ve noticed are that my eyes no longer feel strained, and I can fall asleep earlier.

I also have ordinary glasses too, but I don’t actually wear them very often because my eyes don’t depend on them. I prefer to wear anti-blue light glasses when working on tasks online and in the evenings before bed.

10. Puppets

Teddy bears are great, sure, but puppets are at the next level! It creates a buzz when young learners see a puppet talking to them on the other side of the screen.

Kids love to play, and the more we can incorporate ‘play’ into the lesson, the more the kids enjoy learning English.

Puppets can be purchased cheaply, or you can make your own with simple materials. You can own more than one to add a bit of variety to your regular student’s classes. Young kids absolutely love these, and they will laugh a lot.

For more props for your teaching classroom, check out this resource.

11. Journal

I highly recommend writing a journal every day. Not the sort of the ‘dear diary’ journal, although that’s also an option!

Staying disciplined when working at home can be a hard task. If you can keep a list of things you need to get done each day, it will help you focus much better and achieve your goals.

The practice of ticking off tasks from a journal as you complete them is said to give you a boost of dopamine. Who doesn’t love dopamine?!

I regularly write down new ideas and lists of things I need to do. It’s also a good place to write English grammar rules or vocabulary. I can refer to these when I am teaching specific lessons.

You may also want to quickly jot down any mistakes your student makes that you can refer to later. Interrupting the student while speaking will only hinder the learning process; therefore, taking note of it and telling the student at the end is best practice.

12. Whiteboard

Whiteboards are good for young learners. A little whiteboard can be used as a secondary rewards system. For example, you could draw an apple tree, and every time the student answers correctly, add another apple to the tree. Or you take one away if they are misbehaving.

The whiteboard can also be used to explain certain things, such as how to write the letter A. You may also like to write words on it that a student mispronounces or new vocabulary that you can practice together.

Pro tip: When you are teaching a student in class, make a record of the new words, mispronunciation, and corrections using the whiteboard and review them at the end.

Check out more props that I use for teaching young learners.

13. Mouse

Using the touchpad on your laptop is, unfortunately, a complete waste of time. It took me so long to perform simple tasks in the online classroom. A mouse is an absolute must!

In an online environment, you want to keep everything fast and efficient, not cumbersome! You can plug a mouse into the USB port or use a Bluetooth mouse that connects wirelessly.

14. Webcam

If your laptop doesn’t already have an HD webcam, consider getting one! It makes a huge difference, and it is considered a teaching standard by some online teaching companies.

Almost any HD webcam will do the trick, and they are straightforward to set up. Plug the webcam into your USB port to connect to your computer or laptop. Prop the webcam on your laptop, and you are good to go!

See our best webcams for teachers.

Your students will see you clearly, and it will almost feel like they are present with you! It is a one-time purchase and a worthwhile one for your professional classroom image.

15. Storage Unit

Over time, teachers are bound to gather many supplies, such as puppets, flashcards, and kids’ rewards. This will leave your office space looking like a kiddies’ toy room!

To organize everything, consider purchasing a storage unit for your props. Here is an expanding file folder for your 2D props cutouts. Never worry about losing them again!

Here are some larger storage boxes.

BONUS!

16. Coffee

If you are not born with superpower energy levels, you may just need some coffee.

I think caffeine is necessary to keep up with the energy levels of an eight-year-old child. I also find I need it for adult group sessions.

One or two cups a day is enough for me, but if you drink more, I won’t judge 😉 I think coffee deserves praise, so I’ve chosen to mention it here.

Conclusion

That concludes my list of equipment for online teachers! Are there any other things you cannot survive without working at home? Let me know in the comments section below!

Useful Links

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